"We're very happy, I can tell you that," Kubiak said. "But I think they expected to get there, and they got there today. There's a lot more to work on. We've got to continue to push our group."

Rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus recovered a fumble and had two sacks as the Texans (11-1) remain tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFL with their sixth consecutive win. After needing overtime the past two games, the Texans forced six turnovers they turned into 10 points and had six sacks of Jake Locker when the Texans weren't batting down a handful of other passes.

Houston is 6-0 on the road this season, the only unbeaten team away from home.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, injured when Houston clinched its first postseason berth a year ago against Cincinnati, called this a great feeling.

"It's good to know we're in," Schaub said. "It's a great feeling to know that we've reached that goal, but we've got a lot more to accomplish."

The Texans also swept Tennessee (4-8), the team they replaced in Houston, for only the second time. Schaub threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns, and Arian Foster ran for a TD.

The Titans debuted new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, but they didn't help him much as receivers repeatedly dropped balls in losing their second game in a row.

"To work so hard to turn things around and go out and have a performance like that is very frustrating," Titans running back Chris Johnson said.

Tennessee scored on a 34-yard pass from Locker to Kenny Britt late in the third quarter to pull within 24-10. The Titans had plenty of chances, including third-and-3 at the Houston 7 early in the fourth quarter before Locker was sacked and fumbled on fourth down.

Darryl Sharpton sealed the win with the third interception with 2:05 left. Locker finished with two fumbles and three interceptions.

The Texans avoided all the late-game dramatics needed in beating first Jacksonville, then Detroit in overtime in a span of five days. But their injury list grew.

Linebackers Bradie James and Brooks Reed, cornerback Johnathan Joseph and right tackle Derek Newton all sat out. Cornerback Brice McCain hurt his foot and couldn't finish. Tight end Garrett Graham also suffered a head injury and couldn't finish.

Houston improved on last season's 10 wins with Schaub completing four of his first five passes for 78 yards on the opening drive. Schaub also connected with James Casey on a 5-yard pass for a 14-3 lead in the second quarter. By halftime, Schaub was 15 of 24 for 167 yards with a 110.9 passer rating, and he finished 21 of 35, completing passes to eight teammates, including himself off a batted ball he pulled in for a 6-yard loss.

"Our defense really won the game for us," Schaub said. "They created all those turnovers and stops on fourth down. The game ball goes to the defense because we weren't holding up our end on offense."

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A general view of Sports Authority Field during the third quarter of the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defeated the Buccaneers 31-23.
Ron Chenoy, US Presswire

Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) flips into the end zone to score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Despite the effort from Bennett, the Seahawks won 23-17.
Rob Grabowski, US Presswire

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) waits to come out of the tunnel during introductions before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Qualcomm Stadium.The Bengals won 20-13.
Jake Roth, US Presswire

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) takes the field prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos went on to win the game 31-23.
Ron Chenoy, US Presswire

St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) grabs San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) in the end zone during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The play was ruled a safety. The Rams defeated the 49ers 16-13 in overtime.
Scott Rovak, US Presswire

Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) dunks the ball over the goal posts after his touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos won the game 31-23.
Ron Chenoy, US Presswire

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson (13) jumps into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills beat the Jaguars 34-18.
Kevin Hoffman, US Presswire

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (left) yells to head coach Norv Turner during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Qualcomm Stadium.The Bengals won the game 20-13.
Jake Roth, US Presswire

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore (17) is unable to catch a pass in the end zone next to Cleveland Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown (24) in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Browns beat the Raiders 20-17.
Cary Edmondson, US Presswire

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) is tackled out of bounds by San Diego Chargers safety Corey Lynch (41) during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. The Bengals wo 20-13.
Christopher Hanewinckel, US Presswire

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) can't hold onto the pass in the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 27-21.
Denny Medley, US Presswire

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) dunks the football after catching a pass for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field. The Colts won the game 35-33.
Andrew Weber, US Presswire

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Sam Acho (94) celebrates his sack of New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) during the first half at Metlife Stadium. The Jets won 7-6.
Ed Mulholland, US Presswire

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki (81) celebrates with tight end Steve Maneri (87) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21.
Denny Medley, US Presswire

Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. The Patriots won 23-16.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after taking a late hit during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers beat the Vikings 23-14.
Jeff Hanisch, US Presswire

Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) looks to throw the ball downfield during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills won the game 34-18.
Timothy T. Ludwig, US Presswire

Shaun Cody tipped Locker's pass to Houston linebacker Tim Dobbins, a Nashville native, who ran it 7 yards to the Tennessee 3 before Locker knocked him up into the air. Arian Foster scored on a 2-yard TD run two plays later for a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Shayne Graham added a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter after Mercilus recovered Locker's fumble forced by Antonio Smith.

That was all Houston needed with the defense disrupting Tennessee repeatedly, even though the Titans wound up with a 354-332 edge in total offense with two offensive linemen knocked out of the game with injuries.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt had another sack, giving him 15 1-2, adding to his franchise record for a season and joining Reggie White as the only NFL players with at least 15 sacks and 13 passes defensed in a season. Watt batted down a couple of passes, giving him 15 for the season.

"Obviously, we've had some struggles the last two weeks, but today is what we're used to and the way we're used to playing with the turnovers and the momentum swings," Watt said.

Smith had a sack and recovered a fumble by Johnson he ran to the end zone waving the ball in the air, thinking and hoping he had a TD in the second quarter.

But officials had whistled the play dead at the spot of the turnover.

Notes: Andre Johnson, the AFC offensive player for November, had five catches for 56 yards after totaling 35 catches for 614 yards over the past month. ... Foster's streak of rushing for at least 90 yards a game ended at five. He ran for 38 yards on 14 carries. ... Titans RT David Stewart broke his right leg on the opening series and was taken to a hospital, and LG Steve Hutchinson hurt his right knee.